Posts for March 15, 2016

These are the posts that are accumulated in our newsletter which goes out every 4-6 days during the school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Con Law (5^th ed.) student textbook.

I. Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

II. Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Little Sisters poke big holes in Government's case [Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, 3/14/16]: They say their Supreme Court brief reveals HHS lawyers' numerous contradictions.

http://www.becketfund.org/little-sisters-poke-big-holes-governments-case/

Their reply brief can be found at

http://www.becketfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/LSP-Reply-Brief.pdf

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Washington's Worst Job: President Obama's Next Supreme Court Nominee [Mother Jones, 3/14/16]: The president may make a nomination this week -- if he can find anyone crazy enough for the job.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/03/obamas-supreme-court-nominee-scalia-sacrificial-lamb

III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Storm Clouds Darken over 2016 [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 3/15/16]: So now it has come to this. A near riot at Donald Trump’s Chicago rally on Friday evening may be a harbinger of things to come, not just at campaign events but in Cleveland for the Republican convention. The city’s leaders were wise to order extra riot gear recently. Whether Trump wins or loses the nomination, we suspect that tens of thousands of unhappy people will show up in the city’s streets.

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/storm-clouds-darken-over-2016/

For the Anti-Trump Forces, it May be Now or Never [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 3/15/16]: Meanwhile, Sanders gains on Clinton outside the South.

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/for-the-anti-trump-forces-it-may-be-now-or-never/

Three reasons that nominating Sri Srinivasan for the Supreme Court could change U.S. elections [Wash Post / SCOTUS blog, 3/14/16]: Nominating an Asian American such as Srinivasan would be momentous, especially considering the Supreme Court’s checkered history with Asian immigrants.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/monkey-cage/wp/2016/03/14/three-reasons-that-nominating-sri-srinivasan-for-the-supreme-court-could-change-u-s-elections/

http://www.scotusblog.com/2016/03/an-assessment-of-judge-sri-srinivasans-rulings-or-i-read-all-these-ferc-cases-so-you-dont-have-to/

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

'Stunning, shocking': Boxer hadn't expected her final months in Senate would include Supreme Court fight [LA Times, 3/14/16]: Barbara Boxer traces the beginning of her Senate career to an October 1991 day when she and six female colleagues from the House marched across the Capitol and demanded that senators consider Anita Hill's sexual harassment allegations against then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

http://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-ca-barbara-boxer-anita-hill-supreme-court-20160314-htmlstory.html

Bill Proposes Paid Time Off For School Activities [Calif. Pub. Radio, 3/14/16]: Parents, grandparents and guardians could take time off from work for school activities without losing any pay under a newly-introduced bill in the California Legislature. It’s the latest effort to give employees more flexibility.

http://www.capradio.org/articles/2016/03/14/should-california-parents-get-paid-time-off-for-school-activities/

IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 8^th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit

V. 1^st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

VI. 14^th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Cal basketball assistant coach fired in sexual harassment case [SF Chron, 3/14/16]: An assistant coach for the Cal men’s basketball team was fired Monday following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, according to a source close to the program.

http://www.sfgate.com/collegesports/article/Cal-basketball-assistant-coach-fired-for-6888817.php

California moves to bring special education students 'into the fold' of mainstream education [EdSource, 3/14/16]: Ordered by the federal government to elevate academics for students with disabilities, and by the state to raise low-income student achievement, the California Department of Education is working to create a unified system that will do both, a move that aims to bring special education students into every school district initiative to improve achievement.

http://edsource.org/2016/california-moves-to-bring-special-education-students-into-the-fold-of-mainstream-education/561585